Shoe inner sole and orthopedic support

ABSTRACT

A shoe innersole having a laminated construction of an upper leather-like layer, a center layer formed of an open-cell polyurethane matrix filled with a combination of lattices so as to be plastically deformable, and a bottom layer of a resilient rubber material. The innersole deforms in conformance with the impression of a wearer&#39;&#39;s foot so as to concurrently soften the foot fall by supporting a larger area of the foot while providing a resilient cushioning effect. In another embodiment, the innersole incorporates an additional area which cups under and provides a minor amount of support to the arch region of the wearer&#39;&#39;s foot. In addition, the innersole is used by an orthopedic physician to obtain a record of the actual pressure exerted by a foot in a shoe for the purpose of prescribing or diagnosing the foot problems of a patient.

United States Patent 1 Fiber SHOE INNER SOLE AND ORTHOPEDIC SUPPORT [76]Inventor: Theodore Fiber, 20 Rosewood Lane,

Wantagh, NY. 11793 i [22] Filed: Mar. 8, 1971 [21] Appl.No.: 122,035

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,253,600 5/1966 Scholl..128/595 X 2,409,594 10/1946 Sherman ....128/595 X 3,320,347 5/1967Greenawalt ....l28/595 X 3,306,967 2/1967 Turkewitsch... ....128/595 X3,244,177 4/1966 Scholl ..l28/595 2,546,827 3/1951 Lavinthal ..128/5953,253,601 5/1966 Scholl ...l28/595 X- 2,480,361 8/1949 Doumitt 128/2 S3,121,431 2/1964 Rosenhaft 1 28/595 3,530,489 9/1970 App1eton......36/44 3,257,742 6/1966 Feinberg 1451 May 1, 1973 FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLlCATlONS 287,663 8/1931 ltaly ..128/2 S Primary Examiner-Kyle L.Howell Attorney-Leopold Presser [57] ABSTRACT A shoe innersole having alaminated construction of an upper leather-like layer, a center layerformed of an open-cell polyurethane matrix filled with a combination oflattices so as to be plastically deformable, and a bottom layer of aresilient rubber material. The innersole deforms in conformance with theimpression of a wearers foot so as to concurrently soften the foot fallby supporting a larger area of the foot while providing aresilientcushioning effect. In another embodiment, the innersoleincorporates an additional area which cups under and provides a minoramount of support to the arch region of the wearers foot.

In addition, the innersole is used by an orthopedic physician to obtaina record of the actual pressure ex- 7 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PatentedMay 1, 1973 3,730,169

INVE 0R THEODORE ER ATTORNEY 1 SHOE INNER SOLE AND ORTHOPEDIC SUPPORTBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION g thereof while concurrently forming acushion tending 1 to soften the wearers footfall. Further, the innersolecan be removed after use to become a permanent record of the pressureareas of the foot for use in diagnosis of foot ailments.

2. Description of the Prior Art In order to provide a high degree afootcomfort when wearing shoes or boots, various types and forms ofcushioned innersoles have been previously proposed and are currentlywidely distributed and marketed. Among presently known innersoles ofthis type are those which are adapted to be inserted into a boot or shoeand designed to conform to the contour of the wearers foot, therebyproviding a resilient cushion which will alleviate or minimize pressureconcentrations which may cause callouses or similar discomfiting effectson the foot. Generally, the prior art laminated innersoles include acenter or interlinear cushioned portion formed from a resilientmaterial, generally constituted of a rubber or sponge-like polyurethane,which will impart the cushioning effect in response to the pressure ofthe wearers foot by yielding and then resiliently springing back uponremoval of the foot from the shoe or boot. The inherent resilience ofthese innersoles, although providing a cushioning effect, is notsuitable to permit the innersole to permanently deform so as to adapt tothe configuration of the wearers foot, thereby failing to provide for-an orthopedic support for the foot and particularly the ball areathereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention obviates or amelioratesthe thereon. A bottom layer is adhesively fastened to the interlinearcushion layer,.and consists of a resilient layer of a natural orsynthetic rubber material having a generally high-friction, non-skidlower surface adapted to engage the surface of the shoe or boot tothereby prevent relative sliding motion between the shoe and theinnersole upon movement of the wearers foot, while concurrentlyaffording sufficient cushioning ef- 0 fect to soften the foot fallduring walking.

Since the latex-filled polyurethane matrix of the center or interlinearlayer remains deformed in response to the pressure exerted thereon bythe wearers foot even after removal of the foot from the shoe, it isparticularly adapted to provide an orthopedic cushion support whichremains particularly shaped to the configuration of the wearers foot.This, in cornbination with the resilient bottom layer, will assure theconstant and required support for those portions of the foot which arein need of cushioning, i.e., the ball of the foot.

Another aspect of the cushioned innersole according to the presentinvention-is that it may be fitted with an arch-support structure,thereby facilitating the cushioning of the ball of the foot whileconcurrently providing an arch support so as to simultaneously alleviatemore than one relatively common orthopedic problem.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to providefor an improved laminated, cushioned innersole for a shoe or boot.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a laminatedinnersole having an interlinear cushioned layer constituted of apolyurethane matrix having a combined intersticed latex filler.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a laminated,cushioned innersole having an interlinear layer of a lattice-filledupon-cell polyurethane matrix adapted to permanently deform in responseto pressure from a wearers foot so as to form an disadvantages anddrawbacks encountered in prior art cushioned innersoles by providing anovel and unique laminated cushioned innersole which is particularlyadapted to form a self-shaping, soft undercushion or foot support forwearers having orthopedic walking problems. In this connection, thepresent invention contemplates an orthopedic laminated, cushionedinnersole which in essence, for a shoe wearer having an orthopedicproblem caused by a too hard ball of the foot, will replace the functionof the fatty foot ball tissue which tends to break up and be displacedduring walking, thereby causing pain and discomfiture to the wearer.

Essentially, the present laminated innersole is constituted of an upperlayer, preferably made of leather or a vinyl plastic, having a smoothtop surface along which the foot of the shoe wearer may readily slide.An interlinear or center layer is adhesively fastened or bonded to thelower surface of the upper layer, and is formed of a deformablecushioning material such as, for example, an opemcell polyurethanematrix having sponge-like properties which is combined with a filler orinterstice of lattices providing for the plastic deformation of thislayer so as to conform to the foot shape pressing orthopedic supportwhile cushioning effect.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a laminated,cushioned innersole of the type described including an arch-supportstructure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING These and other objects and many of theattendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated asthe same becomes better understood by reference to the followingdetailed description when considered in connection with the accompanyingdrawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a providing thedesired foot 7 laminated cushioned innersole according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 2a is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view along line 2-2 inFIG. 1 before deforming pressure has I.

been applied thereto;

FIG. 2b is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view along line 2-2 inFIG. 1 after deforming pressure has been applied thereto; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a laminatedcushioned innersole according to the present invention.

Referring now in detail to the drawing, wherein like reference numeralsdesignate like or similar parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1illustrates an innersole adapted to be inserted into a shoe or boot (notshown).

The innersole 10 is of a laminated construction, consisting of an upperlayer 12, a center or interlinear layer 14, and a bottom layer 16. Allof the layers 12, 14 and 16 are bonded or fastened together by means ofa suitable adhesive positioned between each of the layers.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2a and 2b of the drawings, the upper layer 12 isformed of a material which will facilitate the easy insertion of awearers foot into the shoe and permit sliding thereof along the lengthof the innersole 10. Layer 12 is preferably formed of leather, vinylplastic or any other material exhibiting similar leather-like physicalcharacteristics.

Center or interlinear layer 14 is essentially constituted of arelatively heavier thickness of an open-cell or foamed polyurethanehaving its matrix intersticed or filled with a combination of latticeswhich will afford this layer a higher degree of plasticity. Whenpressure is exerted upon this layer 14, by the deforming pressure uponlayer 12 caused by the weight of a wearers foot, the latex-filledpolyurethane will plastically deform so as to conform to theconfiguration of the foot. The deformation of layer 14 will beessentially permanent, in effect, when the wearer removes the innersole10 contained in the shoe, an impression 18 which has been made on layers12 and 14 will remain so as to form an orthopedically accurate mold ofthe bottom of the foot.

The bottom layer 16 of the innersole 10 is preferably formed of aresilient material which may be, for example, natural or syntheticrubber, or any other material exhibiting rubber-like resilientcushioning properties. This layer 16, when the pressure of the wearersfoot on the innersole 10 is relieved will spring back to its initialundeformed configuration, so as to constitute a resilient cushion. As isevident, the rubber-like material of layer 16 forms a bottom surface 20having a generally high co-efficient of friction which will prevent thesliding of the innersole 10 in the shoe or boot upon movement of thefoot along the upper surface 22 of layer l2, thereby maintaining therequired position of the innersole within the shoe.

The permanent deformation of layer 14 in conformance with theimpressions thereon by the bottom of a wearer's foot provides anexcellent orthopedic mold showing the exact configuration of the bottomof the foot. By advantageously combining layers 12 and 14 with aresilient bottom layer 16, which will cushion the foot fall of thewearer of the shoe containing the innersole 10, a superior cushioningsupport is provided for the bottom of the foot. This support isparticularly important and advantageous for users of the innersole whoare subject to orthopedic or foot problems evidenced by an excessivelyhard ball of the foot. The laminated innersole 10, by employing aplastically deformable interlinear layer 14 permits the deformation ofthe innersole to correspond with the impressions of the foot, whileconcurrently providing a desirable cushioning effect on the foot,thereby softening the foot fall and replacing the fatty tissue in thefoot which is broken up and displaced through walking, particularly inthe foot ball area.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3 of the drawing, an innersole 24 isillustrated which is essentially similar to the innersole 10 of theembodiment of FIG. 1, by including an upper layer 12, interlinear layer14 and a bottom layer 16 made exactly like those in the innersole of theprevious embodiment. However, in this embodiment, the innersole 24includes an arch support member 26 which is preferably interposedbetween layers 14 and 16. The arch support member 26 may be formed ofsteel or similar suitable material commonly used in forming supports forshoe wearers who are commonly subject to this type of orthopedicproblem. The arch support may be one which is commercially available andhas been previously incorporated into the innersole 24, or alternativelymay be made on the basis of an orthopedic mold constructed by aphysician and then inserted into a laminated innersole in accordancewith the present invention.

The foregoing disclosure relates to only preferred embodiments of theinvention, and is intended to cover all changes and modifications of theexample of the invention herein chosen for the purposes of disclosure,which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:

l. A laminated cushioned innersole for insertion into a shoe or boot,comprising an upper layer of a generally smooth low-friction material, abottom layer of a generally resilient material, and an intermediatepermanently deformable cushioned layer disposed between said upper andlower layers in laminated coextensive relationship therewith, saiddeformable cushioned layer being formed of lattices constituting anopen-celled polyurethane matrix and a latex filler material so as tofacilitate permanent plastic deformation of said cushioned layer toconform to the bottom shape of the foot of a wearer while maintaining acushioning effect. 1

2. An innersole as claimed in claim 1 wherein said upper layer comprisesleather having its upper surface adapted to be engaged by the foot ofthe wearer.

3. An innersole as claimed in claim 1 wherein said bottom layer isnatural rubber.

4. An innersole as claimed in claim 1 wherein said bottom layer issynthetic rubber.

5. An innersole as claimed in claim 1 wherein said upper layer is avinyl plastic material.

6. An innersole as claimed in claim 1 including adhesive means forbonding said layers in said laminated relationship.

7. An innersole as claimed in claim 1 wherein said innersole includesarch-support means positioned in the region adapted to be engaged by thearch of the foot of the wearer. I

2. An innersole as claimed in claim 1 wherein said upper layer comprisesleather having its upper surface adapted to be engaged by the foot ofthe wearer.
 3. An innersole as claimed in claim 1 wherein said bottomlayer is natural rubber.
 4. An innersole as claimed in claim 1 whereinsaid bottom layer is synthetic rubber.
 5. An innersole as claimed inclaim 1 wherein said upper layer is a vinyl plastic material.
 6. Aninnersole as claimed in claim 1 including adhesive means for bondingsaid layers in said laminated relationship.
 7. An innersole as claimedin claim 1 wherein said innersole includes arch-support means positionedin the region adapted to be engaged by the arch of the foot of thewearer.